Youth learn hunting safety, ethics and sportsmanship

28 from region participated in annual JAKES Day activities

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A young hunter draws a ticket for a raffle from Dwaine Scheetz, of the Muskingum Valley Chapter of the Wild Turkey Federation during their annual JAKES Day event on Saturday at the Coshocton County Sportsman's Association. Children ages 5 to 17 received supervised instruction on safe handling of bows, air rifles, .22 caliber rifles and shotguns while learning turkey hunting basics and call making. (Photo11: Sam Blackburn/Times Recorder)Buy Photo

COSHOCTON - The Muskingum Valley Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation's annual JAKES Day has been staple in Coshocton County for decades.

Started in 1981, the nationwide program is aimed to promote knowledge, ethics and sportsmanship in young hunters. This year's event was held at the Coshocton County Sportsman's Association.

Children ages 5 to 17 received supervised instruction on safe handling of bows, air rifles, .22 caliber rifles and shotguns while learning turkey hunting basics and call making. They also built bird houses.

Brayleigh Cox, a third-grader from Dresden, said shooting guns was her favorite part of the day. She also plays softball, basketball and races dirt bikes.

"You have to keep the gun tight to your shoulder or it will kick more," Cox said, when asked what she learned. "I'm excited for my dad to take me deer hunting this year."

There were 28 participants, and event organizer Dwaine Scheetz said there are about 150,000 JAKES nationally.

"It's to pass on the knowledge we've gained through hunting in regards to safety and an ethical way of hunting, and just being an overall good sportsman," Scheetz said. "We see a lot of the same kids, but we try and find something different for them every year."

Scheetz said the popularity of each activity depends on the person's interest. This year they built bluebird boxes in an effort to teach the children about nature, and built turkey calls from scratch.

"That's why we like to mix it up every year and do different things for them," Scheetz said. "For us, the most enjoyable thing - there is a little girl here who has never shot a shotgun before. She went out there and hit a bullseye."

Gunnar Bice, a student at Ridgewood, has attended the event for four years.

"It's nice to learn some new things and shoot some guns," Bice said. "You get to hang out with some unique people. I've been hunting since I was 3. It's pretty fun."

Chuck Smith, who drives from Pataskala to volunteer for the event, said the area is fortunate to have such strong hunting grounds. JAKES Day events are held throughout the country, but the local chapter's is funded through its annual banquet and local businesses.

"It's all about doing something for the youth," Smith said. "A lot of people give extra. The year before last we were the No. 1 (NWTF) banquet in the state.

"Hunting has always had a rich tradition in this area and all over Ohio, especially this part," Smith said. "We just try to have a fun day for the kids."